Pakistan Overcomes Sri Lanka With Convincing Win In Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

In Match 2 of Group A at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan delivered a clinical all-round performance to secure a comfortable 31-run victory over Sri Lanka. Held at the iconic Sharjah Stadium on October 3, Pakistan defended a modest total of 116 by restricting Sri Lanka to just 85/9 in their 20 overs. This emphatic win gives Pakistan a solid start to their World Cup campaign, highlighting the strength of their bowling attack and resilience with the bat under pressure.

A Stuttering Start for Pakistan’s Batting Lineup

Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start, with openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza struggling to find their rhythm against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Muneeba managed 11 runs from 14 balls before being dismissed by Sugandika Kumari, while Feroza fell for just 2 runs in the second over, leaving Pakistan at 12/2. Sidra Amin tried to inject some momentum into the innings with a quick 12 off 10 balls, but her dismissal by Chamari Athapaththu further dented Pakistan’s progress.

With the top order failing to fire, Pakistan needed stability. That stability came from the middle order, particularly through Omaima Sohail and Nida Dar. Although Omaima contributed a valuable 18 off 19 balls, it was Nida Dar who played the anchor role, scoring 23 off 22 balls. Her innings helped steady the ship, but Pakistan’s inability to form long partnerships kept their total from ballooning early on. The match appeared to be slipping away from Pakistan until a crucial late-order effort turned the tide in their favor.

Fatima Sana’s Late-Order Heroics

The standout performance of Pakistan’s innings came from Fatima Sana, whose quickfire 30 off 20 balls injected much-needed energy into the innings. Coming in at number seven, Fatima played a fearless brand of cricket, smashing three boundaries and a six to lift Pakistan to a competitive total of 116. Her aggressive knock in the final overs was exactly what Pakistan needed, turning a modest score into one that could be defended by their strong bowling lineup.

Fatima’s ability to find the gaps and play risk-free aggressive shots under pressure was key to Pakistan’s recovery. She capitalized on anything loose from the Sri Lankan bowlers and ensured that Pakistan had a fighting chance with a respectable total on the board. Her all-round contributions with both bat and ball would prove to be instrumental in Pakistan’s eventual triumph.

Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Shine but Lack Support

Despite Pakistan’s eventual recovery, Sri Lanka’s bowlers put on a commendable performance, particularly Sugandika Kumari and Chamari Athapaththu. Kumari was exceptional, picking up 3 wickets for 19 runs in her four overs. Her early breakthroughs, including the dismissals of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, stifled Pakistan’s top order and kept them on the back foot for most of the innings.

Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan captain, also played a pivotal role with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs. Her ability to break key partnerships at crucial moments, such as dismissing Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz, put significant pressure on Pakistan’s middle order. Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with 3 wickets for 20 runs, giving Sri Lanka control for large parts of the innings. However, despite their combined efforts, Fatima Sana’s late surge undid much of their good work, leaving Sri Lanka with a challenging but attainable target of 117.

Sri Lanka’s Batting Struggles From the Start

Chasing 117, Sri Lanka’s innings never truly gained momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The tone was set early when captain Chamari Athapaththu, a key player for Sri Lanka, was dismissed for just 6 runs by Fatima Sana. With Athapaththu’s early exit, Sri Lanka found themselves on the back foot, and the rest of the lineup struggled to cope with Pakistan’s disciplined bowling.

Vishmi Gunaratne was the only batter who offered some resistance for Sri Lanka, top-scoring with 20 off 34 balls. However, she was unable to find consistent support from her teammates. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera, who were expected to build partnerships, both failed to get into double digits, leaving Sri Lanka at 35/3 early in the chase. The lack of a significant partnership hampered their chances of building momentum, and Sri Lanka’s hopes of chasing the modest target slowly faded.

Pakistan’s Bowlers Deliver a Masterclass

Pakistan’s bowling attack was nothing short of exceptional, with each bowler contributing to the team’s success. Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana led the way, applying consistent pressure on the Sri Lankan batters. Sadia was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/17 in her four overs. Her dismissal of Vishmi Gunaratne, who was the last recognized batter for Sri Lanka, proved to be a crucial moment in the game. Sadia also claimed the wickets of Nilakshika Silva and Sugandika Kumari, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s lower order could not stage a comeback.

Fatima, fresh from her impactful batting performance, continued to shine with the ball. She took 2 wickets for just 10 runs in her 2.5 overs, including the crucial scalp of Sri Lankan captain Athapaththu. Fatima’s ability to strike at key moments, both with the bat and ball, played a vital role in Pakistan’s dominance. Omaima Sohail also chipped in with 2 wickets for 17 runs, further restricting Sri Lanka’s progress.

Sri Lanka’s Lower Order Falters

Sri Lanka’s lower order offered little resistance as Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their grip on the match. Nilakshika Silva, who scored 22 off 25 balls, was the only batter in the lower order to offer some fight. However, as the required run rate climbed, Sri Lanka’s inability to build partnerships and rotate the strike became evident. Wickets continued to tumble, and the Sri Lankan batters struggled to deal with Pakistan’s disciplined lines and lengths.

Sri Lanka’s tailenders were left with too much to do, and they crumbled under the pressure. Sugandika Kumari and Sachini Nisansala were unable to provide any late-order heroics, as Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana wrapped up the innings, leaving Sri Lanka stranded on 85/9 after 20 overs. Pakistan’s fielding also played a significant role, as they maintained pressure with sharp catches and disciplined ground fielding, ensuring that Sri Lanka never got a foothold in the chase.

Pakistan’s Strong Start to the World Cup Campaign

This victory marks an important start for Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Despite a modest total, their bowlers demonstrated resilience and skill in defending the target. Fatima Sana’s all-round performance, coupled with Sadia Iqbal’s lethal bowling, ensured that Pakistan walked away with a comprehensive 31-run victory.

As Pakistan looks ahead to the rest of the tournament, this win will give them a huge boost in confidence. Their ability to perform under pressure and capitalize on key moments bodes well for their chances in the competition. With strong bowling and improving batting, Pakistan is poised to make a deep run in this World Cup.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly. While their bowling was impressive, their batting performance left much to be desired. If they are to remain competitive in the tournament, they will need to address their batting frailties and find ways to build more substantial partnerships. The pressure will now be on Sri Lanka to bounce back and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

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